History:

Richard's Place, Inc. was founded by Corrie Fulwiler in memory of her close friend, Richard, whom she supported in his struggle with HIV/AIDS up until his death in 1995. Richard eventually moved back with his family disclosing his HIV/AIDS status thus enabling him to face his death in a supportive environment, with dignity, surrounded by people who loved him. In April 1996 Richard's Place was incorporated as a not for profit 501c3 organization. In tribute to Richard's brave struggle, Corrie created an environment where other people living with HIV/AIDS could improve their health status and return to independent living, or as circumstances warrant, die with dignity in a supportive, caring environment.

History of the Agency's Success:

• 1998 - Secured a 3 year U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Transitional Supportive Housing Program (TSHP) grant for $112,555 annually and began operation of a 24-hour care supportive living home for persons with HIV/AIDS with end-of-life (hospice) care as needed.
• 2000 - Richard's Place, Inc. and The City of Waukesha Housing Authority receive a Best Practices Award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Program Innovation
• 2001 - 2006 - HUD TSHP grant has been renewed continuously by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• 2001 - Opened 6 permanent apartments with case management for persons with HIV/AIDS in partnership with the City of Waukesha Housing Authority
• 2002 - Began providing case management services to 25 clients with HIV/AIDS residing in privately owned housing in greater Waukesha area
• 2003 - Began providing case management services to persons with HIV/AIDS receiving a Section 8 Mainstream Housing Assistance Voucher from the City of Waukesha Housing Authority
• 2004 - Began providing case management services to an additional 25 clients with HIV/AIDS residing in privately owned housing in greater Waukesha area
• 2005 - Secured a 3 year U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP) grant $144,844 annually and began operation of a 24-hour care supportive living home for persons with HIV/AIDS with end-of-life (hospice) care as needed. Restructured original Transitional Supportive Housing Program facility
• 2005 - Opened 4 permanent apartments with case management for persons with HIV/AIDS, able to accommodate families with children, in partnership with the City of Waukesha Housing Authority

Between 1998 and 2009 Richard's Place, Inc. has built a continuum of affordable housing, supportive living care, transitional housing units, case management, and permanent housing to persons residing in the greater Waukesha area with HIV/AIDS.

Testimonials:

Our agency discovered Richard's Place in 1998. At that time I had a client who was in the process of being evicted from his home, had AIDS-related dementia, AIDS wasting, numerous opportunistic infections and was simply unable to care for himself. The only option before our discovery {of Richard's Place} was a nursing home placement. This was not an acceptable option. The staff of Richard's Place became his family and truly cared not only for him but about him. They were there by his bedside during hospitalizations and rounds of chemotherapy, Hospice, (and) the funeral home after he died from Burkett's Lymphoma. Richard's Place fills a need in the HIV community that no one else does. They are unique in their outlook and approach to care and take great pains to make all aspects of care fit together perfectly. There is nothing else in the State quite like them.

Janet,, R.N., ACRN